Free Web NovelChapter 396: Chapter 155: Peddler
At this hour, Mrs. Zhao and Xiang’er had yet to rest. The mother-daughter pair were tidying the cups and plates in the house and cleaning up the mess that littered the floor.
Despite having worked hard all day, there was no sign of fatigue on either of their faces.
Their faces were flushed with energy, as if they could keep working all night.
Chen Wanqing walked over to join them, but Mrs. Zhao and Xiang’er teamed up to stop her.
"Wanqing, you don’t need to help. It’s just a few small chores. Xiang’er and I will have it all cleaned up in a moment."
"That’s right, Sister-in-law. You’ve been working hard for two days and haven’t had a proper rest. You and Big Brother should go back to your room. I’ve heated some water in the kitchen; I’ll bring it to your room in a little while."
Chen Wanqing couldn’t refuse them, so she left. But instead of waiting for Xiang’er to bring the water, she grabbed a wooden bucket herself, intending to fetch some hot water for a bath.
But she didn’t even get to do that small task, because Zhao Jing, having finished his own work, came over and took the bucket from her.
By the time everyone had washed up and was ready for bed, it was already very late. The family had no time to chat and quickly went to sleep.
The next few days remained exceptionally busy.
For one thing, the Holy Decree had to be enshrined in the Zhao family’s ancestral hall. For another, the construction of the adjacent ancestral hall was also a major undertaking. And finally, with Zhao Jing’s great fortune, it was inevitable that people would come to pay their respects.
This time, not only did the county government send a congratulatory gift, but even colleagues and friends on good terms with Chen Song made a point of sending gifts to Zhao Jing.
Then there were the Scholars of Qingshui County, who came to visit on the pretext of offering congratulations. Zhao Jing’s closest friends, Huang Chen and Ding Shutian, both lived in Qingshui County and naturally came in person.
Wang Jun, Wang Xiao, and Chu Xun were not in Qingshui County, so the Wang and Chu families delivered congratulatory gifts on their behalf. In addition, each of those two families presented their own gifts as a gesture of goodwill.
With people constantly coming and going, the Zhao household didn’t have a moment’s peace for days.
Even Zhao Jing’s two maternal uncles shamelessly showed up at their door again. Despite the Zhao family giving them the cold shoulder and even trying to throw them out, they acted as if they hadn’t noticed the frosty reception and would simply return every other day.
It was incredibly annoying and a huge waste of time. Most importantly, it was seriously disrupting his studies. Of the boxes of books bestowed by Your Majesty, Zhao Jing had brought back a small case, but to this day, he hadn’t even finished half a book.
Finally, after seeing off some guests one day, Zhao Jing went to the main hall to speak with his mother about moving.
Mrs. Zhao was so stunned she was speechless for a moment.
"Why... why are we moving? Isn’t the Zhao Village nice? The people here are simple and honest, and they’re all our clansmen. We don’t have to worry about being bullied here."
"But this is a small place, after all. I want to pass the imperial examinations and become an official, and I can’t achieve my ambitions here. Mother, Wanqing has saved up a sum of silver, enough to buy a house in the Prefecture. I’m also preparing to study at the academy there. For the sake of my studies, let’s move to the Prefecture."
Mrs. Zhao understood what her son was saying.
But she was timid by nature, with a gentle disposition. She was afraid of strangers and not good at socializing. She preferred to live in a familiar environment; leaving it for a strange place would make her feel completely ill at ease.
Mrs. Zhao said, "If you need to go to the Prefecture to study, then go. And if it’s more convenient for Qing’er to buy spices and make her incense there, she should go with you. I don’t want to go. If I go there, not only will I have nothing to do, I’m afraid I won’t even have anyone to talk to. I want to stay home. I can look after the house and burn incense for your father on holidays. You won’t have to worry about it."
Zhao Jing was exasperated. "There’s only this one house, what is there to look after? These are just things. Even if they get old or break, they can be fixed. But Mother, you’re getting older and your health isn’t the best. If I’m not here and something happens to you, how could I face Father? Besides, Xiang’er is of marriageable age. You were just busy trying to find a match for her. How can the number of talented young men in the county compare to the Prefecture? People strive for better opportunities. Even for Xiang’er’s sake, please come with us, Mother."
But Mrs. Zhao still refused. "We don’t know the place or the people. In the Prefecture, our whole family would have to walk on eggshells. Besides, the cost of living there is much higher than here. I can’t earn money, and my dowry is mostly gone. I can’t be a burden on you."
Zhao Jing argued until he was blue in the face, but Mrs. Zhao was completely set in her ways. No matter what he said, he couldn’t persuade his mother.
It was exhausting for Xiang’er, who stood by feeling anxious.
She didn’t mind staying in the Zhao Village, but she wanted to go with her brother and sister-in-law even more.
